2012-Jul 06: Waiving visa application fees for events

Visa Pak 72 - Guidelines on waiving visa application fees for specific events

Visa Paks

6 July 2012 >p> On the 17th of May 2012 the Minister of Immigration, Nathan Guy, agreed to the following criteria for determining whether to grant a special direction waiving the application fees for key people in a particular event. Key people are considered to be the participants and essential match and tournament officials (such as referees, umpires, judicial and anti-doping officials).

If a Visa Services Branch is contacted by an event organiser requesting a special direction to waive visa application fees, this request should be declined, UNLESS it is appropriate to grant a special direction to waive the application fees

To assist with determining the appropriateness for granting a special direction the following criteria should be applied:
 
1. Special directions will only be granted on rare occasions, when INZ is satisfied that:
 a. the nature of the event justifies processing the visa applications for free, and
 b. there is a good reason why the fees should not be paid.
  
2. Ten factors have been identified to help determine if the above criteria are met. When deciding whether the nature of the event justifies processing the visa application without charging a fee, Managers must balance the nature of the event against the level of risk associated with individual visa applications. 
  
3. Factors that will form the basis of this consideration are whether the event:
 a. is hosted by the New Zealand Government, e.g. APEC and Bali process
 b. has or is likely to be granted major event status
 c. contributes to the New Zealand economy, e.g. through tourism
 d. is of an international nature
 e. involves only a small number of key people
 f. has a good immigration record, and
 g. will source the majority of key people from lower risk countries, e.g. visa-waiver countries.
  
4. When deciding whether there is a good reason why the fees should not be paid INZ will consider.
 a. whether the event is a new, annual and on-going event that requires support to become established
 b. whether the event is not-for-profit, and
 c. the reason why a special direction is requested

These criteria will allow sufficient flexibility to grant special directions, if required, to very diverse events. For example a newly established, not-for-profit event that is likely to contribute to New Zealand’s economy through tourism may be granted a special direction to support it in becoming established. A well established, commercial event that is of a highly international nature and hosted by the New Zealand Government may be granted a special direction to provide greater facilitation.

If a fee waiver is granted for a particular event, applications from visa required countries will still need to apply for a visa and meet standard immigration instructions.

Note: Special directions for fee waivers for applications which will be submitted to multiple visa services branches will continue to be made by Visa Services, Operations Support. This will ensure a consistent approach to international events that involve applications being made to more than one branch.

When Operations Support issues a special direction for an event i.e. Rugby World Cup 2011, Branch staff will be advised as per the current practice. Should branches be approached by an event coordinator seeking a special direction for application fees that will result in applications being made to multiple branches please contact: INZ - Ops Student & Visitor.

Please ensure all relevant staff are advised of and understand the criteria for waiving visa application fees for events and when to refer to Operations Support.